Unexplained Weight Loss Racgp

Patients who present with rapid weight loss especially in the context of pain and or increasing fatigue and declining activity should be considered at risk.
Unexplained weight loss racgp. Unintended weight loss red flag symptoms. In addition to fever drenching night sweats and unexplained weight loss of greater than 10 of body weight may suggest hodgkin lymphoma or non hodgkin lymphoma 2 3 6. Malnutrition is broadly defined as a nutritional deficit undernutrition excess overnutrition or imbalance 1 2 malnutrition and unintentional weight loss are issues frequently underestimated in older people that can be limited managed and controlled by timely nutrition intervention.
Weight loss may be the only symptom. His only significant previous medical history was the repair of a ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus as an infant. Unintentional weight loss i e more than a 5 reduction in body weight within six to 12 months occurs in 15 to 20 of older adults and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality 1 in.
A man 28 years of age presented to his family doctor following a 12 month history of vomiting and weight loss of approximately 20 kg. Gps should perform a thorough history symptom assessment and physical examination including for lymphadenopathy liver enlargement pleural effusion and breast or pelvic abnormality. Sign in to continue.
Most adults have 32 teeth. Malnutrition and unintentional weight loss impact mortality morbidity length of stay and re admission to hospital 3 with nutrition support reducing readmission by more than 29 4 5 malnutrition is closely linked with recurrent falls and fractures lost independence. For unexplained weight loss should be investigated thoroughly.
Accurate evaluation is essential however because this problem is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Unintentional weight loss in the elderly patient can be difficult to evaluate. Management of chewing problems in this group of patients may require multidisciplinary input from a speech pathologist dietitian and or physiotherapist to assess or manage the chewing problem.
By dr pipin singh.